Newcastle United’s search for a striker continues as Liam Delap prepares to join Chelsea.
Eddie Howe has been keen to bring Liam Delap to St James’ Park, but is going to be left disappointed.
Delap has chosen Chelsea over Newcastle United, with the 22-year-old’s other suitors informed about his preference.
It is a blow for Newcastle United, who felt that £30million for Delap represented serious value and had visions of him playing up front alongside Alexander Isak.
That dream will not become a reality, and Delap’s decision to turn down the Magpies sums up a major problem that Howe will struggle to solve.
Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Newcastle United will struggle to sign a striker
Newcastle United desperately need to address their striker situation this summer.
While Alexander Isak has had the best season of his career with 27 goals in all competitions, he has also struggled in recent months due to the volume of games he has had to play.
A groin problem has limited his impact, yet Howe has not had an alternative. Callum Wilson has not been good enough, while Will Osula is still too raw.
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With Wilson looking likely to leave Newcastle United when his contract expires this summer, the Magpies’ need for a striker will only intensify.
Yet whoever the club target will be well aware of what their role will be. If another striker arrives at St James’ Park, they are automatically behind Isak in the pecking order.
In that respect, why would any striker make the move? Especially during a summer in which it seems like every club is looking for a goalscorer.
What Callum Wilson has said about being Newcastle’s backup striker
Wilson is in talks about staying at Newcastle, but a departure currently feels like the most probable outcome.
The 33-year-old has spoken openly about what it is like to be Isak’s understudy, telling the High Performance podcast that it is ‘difficult’.
“You go from being first choice striker to then being second choice striker,” he said.
“Every game there is not even a contest on who starts at the moment, and rightly so. In my absence over the last 18 months, Alex has just gone to another level which is fantastic for the team. It’s helped us improve so much.
“Then obviously my role changes and you have to put your pride and ego to the side, put the team first and know what the team needs in that moment. If I can’t be a big part on the pitch, what can you do off it? How can you help other players? How can you still be you without acting and being disappointed?
“It’s difficult, but I think I’m getting the balance right. I’ve gone through dips and all sorts of emotions, especially being out of contract in the summer. There’s a lot of emotions throughout this season that have been different challenges to face and new challenges that I’ve never faced before.”
How Newcastle United can solve their striker problem
Signing an out-and-out striker who is not too big a drop off from Isak’s level is going to be virtually impossible.
They will either be too expensive, not want to join or both.
The alternative that Newcastle will perhaps need to explore is bringing in someone who is versatile, as opposed to a pure number nine.
That is why Matheus Cunha made sense as a target. He could play as a central striker, while he is also capable out wide or as a midfielder.
The same could be said of Newcastle United target Joao Pedro, who is back on the Magpies’ radar after almost joining the club in 2022. He can also operate in other roles, and could be the solution to Newcastle’s problem.
However, he would be a very expensive solution.